Modern disruption of traditional symbol systems

Many societies are faced with the contradiction between old and new ways. In some communities technological civilization has arrived abruptly and fully developed, thus disintegrating the social fabric. Local symbol systems, which have informed every dimension of life in traditional communities for, in some cases, thousands of years, have been assaulted by this 'modern' civilization to the point where the residents themselves talk of these systems as 'primitive' or 'superstitious'. As a result, they do not realize how great the past has been. Closely related to this is the fact that there are no images profoundly related to community experience of life which relate to future possibilities. Such shame about own ancient symbols deeply fragments communal life. Cooperative effort, which is always dependent upon shared common symbols, cannot be fostered effectively. The rhythm of daily life, as well as the patterns of weeks, months and years becomes chaotic.

1. Symbol system failure
2. Rapidly changing cultures
3. Disruption
4. Contradiction

1. Unsignificant community celebration
2. Superstitious symbolic acts
3. Incompatibility of traditional and new technologies
4. Erosion of social contract
5. Erosion of collective memory in traditional cultures
6. Disintegration of accepted myths
7. Depressed social motivity
8. Deceptive indications of prosperity

1. Social erosion of personal self-esteem
2. Restrictive patterns of tradition-bound lifestyle
3. Reinforced parochialism of internal values and images
4. Reduced interior structure of families
5. Obsolete basis of cultural identity
6. Loss of traditional forms of social security
7. Loss of cultural heritage
8. Lack of symbolism in local relationships
9. Lack of commitment to common symbols
10. Insufficient social programmes
11. Insufficient cultural heroes
12. Fragmented community image
13. Felt community powerlessness
14. Embarrassing cultural traditions
15. Deteriorating social environments for raising children
16. Denial by old people of the significance of the past
17. Confusion over sex roles
18. Confused identity of womanhood
19. Conflicting social expectations
20. Community demoralization
21. Absence of convincing symbols connecting the individual's life to the cosmos

1. Westernization of traditional modes of life in developing countries
2. Unadapted significance of cultural tradition
3. Shortage of land for cemeteries

1. Static social relations inhibiting vision of the future

1. Resistance to change
2. Inadequate social reform

1. Unchallenging world vision
2. Preoccupation with historical symbolism
3. Parochial national interests
4. Limited exposure to other cultures
5. Disincentives to invention

1. Re-integrating social frameworks
2. Disrupting traditional symbol systems
3. Disintegrating social frameworks
4. Contradicting
5. Accommodating the old and new

1. Unsociable
2. Disruption
3. Disintegration
4. Contradiction